HUM 104: AGE OF DARWIN - Part II - Zola's Naturalism

9/11 Th Zola -- Introduction to Zola

• Readings: Preface to the second edition

• Homework: Study Questions
  Give a short answer to the following questions on the basis of your reading:
  1. What counter arguments does Zola give against the accusations of pornography?
  2. Explain how Zola wants to apply scientific analysis to literature in his writings.
  3. Explain how Zola describes the "experiment" in Therese Raquin.
  4. What argument does Zola give to claim that morality is irrelevant to his art? Can you think of another, maybe more relevant to our modern ears?

• Course Notes in pdf format: Part III, Chapter 7

9/13 Tu Zola I

• Readings: Zola, chapter 1-15

• Homework:
  Give a short answer to the following questions on the basis of your reading:
  1. The opening description of the Passage du Pont Neuf (chapter I): A critic in literature, Sainte-Beuve, has written that this description is not true, but "fantastically true". Explain what literacy devices are used in order to set the atmosphere in the first chapter. How do you think this can be reconcile with Zola's claim that his writings are a perfect imitation of reality in the plain and objective style of scientific reports?
  2. The scientific experiment's components: give the physiological characteristics of the three main characters: Camille, Th\'er\`ese and Laurent
  3. A love affair? What are the motivations of Laurent and Th\'er\`ese to sleep together?
  4. What about cats? Why do you think Zola insists on the cat's stare on the lovers?
  5. The murder. What the motivations of the lover for the murder? In what sense is the scene of the murder an example of Zola's uncovering the "human beast"?

• Course Notes in pdf format: Part III, Chapter 8

9/18 Tu Zola II

• Readings: Zola, chapter 16 - 32

• Homework
  Give a short answer to the following questions on the basis of your reading:
  1. Naturalists claims to describe the reality without any use of the supernatural. How do you understand the "visits" of Camille's "ghost" tormenting the murderers?
  2. How do you understand the fact that Laurent becomes a true artist?
  3. Compare chapters VII and XXI in terms of the relationships between Laurent and Th\'er\`ese.
  4. Compare chapters XIX, XXVI and XXXII in terms of the respective power of the character over the others.
  5. What about cats again? Find the different situations in the book in which the cat appears. What is the cat's effect on the lovers? What do you think is his role in the novel?

• Course Notes in pdf format: Part III, Chapter 9

9/20 Th Zola -- Conclusion